First, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said Josh McDaniels is coming back to coach his team next year.

Then, Bowlen read his words and realized they came out a little stronger than he intended so he put out a more carefully worded statement that said he’ll evaluate at season’s end.

What Bowlen means is this: McDaniels is absolutely, positively coming back — unless the Broncos go 0-5 or 1-4 with a couple blowout losses in the final five games. Bowlen isn’t counting on that happening.

McDaniels will be a better coach next year if he can bring in a couple more athletic defensive players. It starts with a healthy Elvis Dumervil.